Saturday, April 26, 2008

I love this photo of me. I love this layout, too. The title is "Courage to Be Myself". Love that. It's hard to be yourself sometimes...especially when you grow up overweight and unhappy like I did.

The year I decided to become an "athlete" was the year my Dad died...1996. There he was lying in his hospital bed, weak and on the verge of death. He had put up a long, hard-fought battle with leukemia for nearly 10 years. I remember just hours before he passed, sitting on the edge of the bed, stroking his hand and trying to come to terms with the fact my father was never going to see my children grow up or help me celebrate my 30th birthday or take my son to his first major-league baseball game...I remember making a promise not only to him but to myself that I was never going to die with regret. Never. I had always dreamed of being physically fit. Of running a marathon or playing tennis. I vowed that I was going to do just that in honor of my Dad.

Three years later I ran my first marathon-26.2 miles-in Anchorage Alaska as a member of the Leukemia Society's "Team in Training".

I raised $4,000 to help in the battle against leukemia. That race changed my life. The next year, in 2000, I learned how to swim, bought a bike and a new pair of running shoes so I could compete in the Danskin Women's Triathlon in Denver Colorado. What a thrill it was crossing the finish line.

A couple years passed and the running bug got the best of me. My best friend Suzi and I trained for and finished Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota in 2002. That race was particularly hard but once again quite a thrill to complete. As I crossed the deserted finish line a woman with a tape recorder in her hand rushed up to me. Turns out I was the "last official finisher" of the day. There were still several hundred behind me but after 6 hours they stop counting. I'll never forget when she asked how I felt about coming in dead last. I proudly replied that it "felt great". I then went, trying to explain to her that I didn't race to win. I raced to finish. The feeling of finishing is incomparable to anything I've ever felt. Knowing that you've trained for MONTHS and MONTHS, working so hard towards a goal then actually following through with that is incredible!

So as I go about this weight loss challenge I've set before me I will try and remember how GOOD it feels to FINISH WHAT I START!!! Instead of starting/stopping and then starting over again...I will continue moving forward, taking it one day at a time. One meal, one snack, one workout at a time. And I will envision myself crossing that finish line...slimmer and healthier than I've been in years. That will be something.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

I love this photo of my daughter Em and her best friend Maddie. These two have been buddies since 3rd grade. Whenever I see these two together I think to myself "It is so important to have at least one good friend. To be goofy with, serious with, hang out with...have lunch with..."

I have been blessed over my lifetime to have many good friends. Throughout my school years there was Rhonda. We met in pre-school and remained best friends through graduation. Even though we rarely see each other we still stay in touch through e-mails and even get the chance to see one another occasionally.

Since Scrapwords went on-line nearly a year ago (has it really been that long?!) I have met dozens of amazing and talented women. That has been one of the best parts of my business so far.

This July I'm going to get the chance to meet one of the girls that has been on Scrapwords since the beginning...Meg or megamay as she's known on the Forums. We are meeting face to face in July at CHA in Chicago. We both are so excited to finally get to just hang out and actually TALK!!!

Take some time to celebrate your friendships today. Create a layout, write them a note or just pick up the phone and say "Hi".

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

It seems the more I work out the stronger I become. That's the way it's supposed to be right? I am really excited about the progress I'm making at the gym. You see it wasn't THAT long ago I was training and running marathons. Heck I even finished a mini triathlon in Denver, Colorado in 2000. But then I just stopped. Oh, sure I'd walk, occasionally lift a weight but never longer than 30- minutes. I never felt like I had the time. But now...something 's different...something has clicked. I want to be strong again. I want to wear those skinny jeans, that swimsuit and feel good. I want my self-confidence back. And you know what? I'm getting it. One run, one weight session, one day at a time. I've gone from 30 minutes of quick cardio to 60 to 80 minutes of good, hard cardio and lifting, ab work and playing tennis or basketball with my kids.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Right now, at this very minute life is so verygood. I couldn't be happier. I ask myself why? It' s not because my house is perfectly clean. In factI have a ton of housework to do this week. It's not because I'm at my perfect weight. I amworking on that though and doing quite well. It's not any one thing. I just am happy. I am so happy to be me. I'm content. I'm trying to live in the moment, take my time with each thing I do and just be.

Love this silly photo of me from last summer. Emma and I were outside one very hot day and I was snapping photos of myself. Can't wait till summer!!

Be sure and take the time this week to get centered. To really think about what it is you want out of life. Slow down, take one thing at a time. Just take a minute to breathe. You'll be glad you did!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Friday, April 18, 2008

I love my daughter Emma so much. She and I spent the evening together. Dave was at a bowling tournament and Jackson went to a movie with friends. So it was just me and my fabulous 10 year old daughter, Em. Isn't she gorgeous??

We snuggled on the couch and watching Nancy Drew. What a cute little movie. Of course we enjoyed popcorn and snuggling with our cat Little, too. After that Em says to me, "Mom, let's just go upstairs and make a book of all the fun stuff we want to do together. Let's just have a fun summer together!!" So we made it up to my room, sat on the bed and brainstormed a dozen things we can do...just her and I. Here are some of our ideas:

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Monday, April 14, 2008

We had a wonderful weekend at Proscout in Kansas City. I was impressed with the event and what we learned. For a full story check out my Blog at Scrapwords.

Man, am I happy to see the SUN!! It seems like Missouri has been nothing but gloom and rain and cold for months now. So sick of it! I think that's why I've felt less than creative for the past month. Try as I might...it's hard to get into a groove. With the sun I hope my creativity begins to bloom.

Friday, April 11, 2008

What a big weekend it is for my 13 year old son Jackson. Last January we drove to St. Joseph to meet with two Proscout agents. Jacks had to do one 30 second interview. That's it...just one. They loved him! In fact they told us that as soon as he had walked in the room they could see his personality!! Cool! So, they gave Jacks an invitation to the Proscout 2-day event in Kansas City this weekend. I am way more nervous about all of this than he is.

Jacks has been working hard on his monologue and we finally got a few snapshots of him. Basically what this weekend will be is learning all the ins and outs of showbiz and modeling. I'm sure we'll have our eyes opened and come away with a whole new perspective on the industry. He has the chance to meet with dozens of top-notch casting agents in the business. We are so excited!!

I am so happy for my son and a bit surprised. Acting was always my first love in High School. It is just so neat to watch my son love it like I did (and still do!).

So, here's to Jackson's first attempt at making the big time. I'll let you know what happens.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

and was so inspired. She just got back from Artfest (which by the way sounds fabulous!!). I need a big boost of creativity. I spend most of my days trying to inspire others on my fabulous site Scrapwordsbut honestly I need some inspiration. Oh, I get lots of it from my site as well as my daily reads...but I need to go somewhere. Ya' know what I mean. I want to be able to just create. Not worry about meals for my family, telephone and other interruptions. I just want to BE. I just want to be INSPIRED. I want to be an ARTIST for a few days. Just that.

Friday, April 4, 2008

I don't know about you but I'm ready for the weekend. I absolutely LOVE Fridays!! Always have. They are just happy. Even when I have a bunch to do on Fridays it just doesn't seem so overwhelming.

Today I've got some fantastic new papers from Fancy Pants to put on Scrapwords. This company is hands down my favorite. From the quality to the design and let's not forget the fantastic customer service...Fancy Pants Rocks!!! Be sure and check out the store to be inspired!!

Your creative challenge for the weekend is just to be aware. Take your journal and camera with you and seek out those daily details. For some awesome challenges check out the Forums at Scrapwords under Member Challenges. You are sure to find something inspiring!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

At Scrapwords we are focusing on the details of our daily life. I love that!! It's the details that truly matter in my opinion. To help you with this mission you'll need a small notebook to carry with you everywhere and a throw away camera (or if you have a small digital that would work, too).

As you move throughout your day begin taking notice of the world around you. I'm usually focused on one thing...getting on to the next thing on my To-Do list. Not this month...this month I'm slowing down to really see what I'm missing. And I'm writing it all down in my handy little book called "It's all in the Details".

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About Me

I write. I create. I inspire. I love sharing and connecting with others.I am on a journey to wellness. I hope you join me as I explore a better way of living my life. Of filling myself up with art, with Spirit, with gratitude. This is gonna be the best year of my life.